Man gets death sentence, 14 years jail term for Okada theft, attempted murder in Osun
By Timothy Agbor, Osogbo
A 44-year-old man, Rafiu Saheed has been sentenced to death by hanging over armed robbery and attempted murder.
Justice Kudirat Akano of Osun State high Court sitting in Ede yesterday convicted Saheed and asked that he should be hanged.
The Convict was arraigned on 30th of November, 2017 on two count charge of attempted murder and armed robbery contrary to sections 6(b) and 1 (2)(a) of the Robbery and Firearms section 320 Criminal Code Law, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002 and Section 1(2) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, Cap R11 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 respectively.
The convict had pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.
Prosecution counsel from the State ministry of Justice, Bankole Awoyemi had informed the court that Saheed committed the crimes on 30th July, 2012.
Awoyemi explained that the convict had contracted a motorcycle operator, Mr. Olaniyi Olayinka to take him to his brother’s house at Ipetumodu from Ile-Ife.
The Prosecutor said on getting to Ipetumodu, they did not meet the convict’s brother. Saheed was said to have informed the motorcyclist to take him back to Ile-Ife. While returning, the convict was said to have takrn out a knife and slit the throat of Olayinka.
The convict was said to have taken away Olayinka’s motorcycle thinking he was dead.
Olayinka was said to have regained consciousness and reported the incident at a police station.
The accused was later arrested with the stolen motorcycle.
Sgt. Okeniyi Segun, a police officer attached to Ipetumodu Police Division testified on how the accused was arrested at Moore police Station and he was transferred to the Ipetumodu Police Division.
After calling witnesses during hearing, the prosecution and defence closed their cases.
Justice Kudirat Akano said that prosecution has proven its case beyond doubt and hereby found Saheed guilty of two counts and convicted him accordingly.
The convict’s counsel, Barr. Julie Olorunfemi pleaded with the court to temper Justice with mercy.
Delivering her ruling, Justice Akano sentenced Saheed to 14 years imprisonment on the count of attempted murder and sentenced him to death for armed robbery.
